At the very least, you should be aware of a company's products and/or services as well as its size, either in dollar volume or number of employees. If a company is publicly owned, you should also know whether it's earning or losing money, how much, and the current trend.
An interviewer will be especially impressed when you're knowledgeable about the following:
- who the company's competitors are;
- how the company compares with its competition;
- significant events that have recently taken place in the organization or in its industry;
- any special problems the company or industry is facing;
- measures being taken to overcome these problems; and
- the company's prospects and plans for growth.
If you're seeking a senior-level position, it's particularly important to be knowledgeable about a potential employer. Not only will an interviewer expect you to have researched his company, but not having done so may lead him to feel that you lack the resourcefulness and motivation that a senior-level position demands.
If you're seeking an entry- or junior-level responsibility, conducting research will give you a competitive advantage over the other applicants, since most job-seekers neglect to take this step at this level.
Researching an Industry
There's also a great deal of information available about different industries:
U.S. Industrial Outlook and Standard and Poor's Industry Surveys give overviews on nearly 350 manufacturing and service industries, with comments on prospects for the future. Business magazines such as Forbes, Fortune, and Business Week publish an issue near the first of each year that reports on the status and outlook for different industries. (See the Special Issues Index and Guide to Special Issues and Indexes of Periodicals for the dates of these issues.) Standard Rate and Data Service Business Publications, Business Periodicals Index, Business Index, and F&S Index will tell you which trade journals to read for any industry of your choice. The Wall Street Journal Index cites the editions of the Wall Street Journal and Barron's that discuss a specific industry. Last, your library may subscribe to Infotrac, which provides computer printouts of articles written about different industries. In order to have sufficient time to conduct this research, try to schedule your interviews several days off. Don't let employers pressure you into meeting with them after having given you only a day's notice.
In the event that you're looking for your first job or are considering making a career change, you might also want to research the position (s) you're considering. Volume 1 of Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance discusses 71 industries and fields, including suggestions for follow-up reading. The Occupational Outlook Handbook describes 250 occupations, including their responsibilities, educational and work experience requirements, projections for growth, and income potential. This publication also lists additional sources for information on each job category Volume 2 of Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance covers 650 occupations, including sources for further information. The Dictionary of Occupational Titles details approximately 25,000 jobs.
Drug Testing
Today, an increasing number of companies-large and small alike-are giving drug tests to job applicants. These tests are administered most often when the employee's safety might be at risk due to the type of work involved. If you're asked if you'll agree to take a drug test, don't refuse. The test may never be administered.
In the event that a test is scheduled, however, there are pre cautions to take so that you won't give what's known as a "false positive." This is where the test shows that you have an illegal substance in your system, even though you actually do not.
For several days prior to the test, avoid all foods that have poppy seeds in them as well as pain relievers, cough syrup, and gin. The ingredients in these products can indicate that you've been using an illegal drug. It's also a good idea to have flushed out your system by drinking a good deal of water for two or three days before the test.
Some companies will have you fill out a form that will tell you which over-the-counter and prescription medicines the test will be sensitive to. If a company administers a test and doesn't provide this form, though, always advise the person giving the test of any medicines you've taken during the past three weeks. Some substances can stay in your system that long, and they might produce a false positive result.
